Online gaming is a fickle business. For console owners, it's free (well if you pay for the internet and Xbox Live) and it's a great way to continue playing your favorite game long past finishing the single player side of things.
When it comes to sports games, online play allows friends to go up against each other without having to share a couch or a TV. Sure, you'll end up facing unknown randoms who glitch and dashboard out when you're winning, but hey that's apart of the online experience.
Unfortunately, not all games can stay online forever. Some companies keep their servers online for years, regardless of how many new games come out. A great example is Activision, who continue to run servers for "Call of Duty 3" which came out over six years ago, and has since seen six new titles in the franchise released.
EA, Electronic Arts, on the other hand are always looking to turn their servers off. Call it a cost cutting measure, or the company just wanting to force people to get the newest editions. No matter what you call it, it all boils down to players losing a promised component of their game.
EA announced today, just before the year ends, that a few of their sports titles will be going offline for good on January 11. The list of games are:
- "FIFA Soccer 11" for PS3, Wii & Xbox 360
- "FIFA Soccer 11 Ultimate Team" for PS3 & Xbox 360
- "Madden NFL 11" for PS3, Wii & Xbox 360
- "Madden NFL 11 Ultimate Team" for PS3 & Xbox 360
- "NBA JAM" for PS3 & Xbox 360
- "NBA LIVE 10" for PS3 & Xbox 360
- "NCAA Football 11" for PS3 & Xbox 360
- "NHL 11" for PS3 & Xbox 360
- "NHL 11 Ultimate Team" for PS3 & Xbox 360
The news comes straight from EA themselves. If you're looking for more information on the shutting down of servers, click here.
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